Faithful Cross, Above All Other

 By: Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus (c.530 – 609 A.D.)

 

1 Faithful cross, above all other:

one and only noble tree!

None in foliage, none in blossom,

none in fruit thy peer may be:

sweetest wood and sweetest iron,

sweetest weight is hung on thee.

 

2 Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory!

Thy relaxing sinews bend;

for awhile the ancient rigor

that thy birth bestowed, suspend;

and the King of heavenly beauty

gently on thine arms extend.

 

3 Praise and honor to the Father,

praise and honor to the Son,

praise and honor to the Spirit,

ever Three and ever One:

one in might and one in glory

while eternal ages run.